Manang hold off Church Boys in goalless draw

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 26: Church Boys United went three points clear at Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League following a goalless draw against Manang Marsyangdi Club at Chyasal Stadium, Lalitpur on Thursday.

The draw denied Church Boys from taking a five-point lead at the top of the table. Church Boys, however, extended the lead to three points against defending champions Machhindra FC, which trails in second with 35 points.

Manang is just two points and two positions above the relegation zone from a consecutive seven draws. With 25 points the record eight-time league winner stays in 11th place.  Manang last lost its match against Tribhuvan Army FC 1-0 in the 14th round. After Bishnu Gurung took over the job of Head Coach, Manang succeeded to avoid defeat.  

Coach Gurung said Manang’s primary target is to survive in the top-tier league. 

“We are under pressure of being relegated. We have five matches left. We will do our best to avoid the drop zone. That has been our main target this season.  We hope to reverse the situation next season and aim for the league title,” Coach Gurung said.

Church Boys remained unbeaten against Manang, who went down 3-0 against the leader in the first leg.

The second division champion is on the verge of making history by winning the title in its debut. Two straight draws, however, have slowed the league leader’s title race. 

Coach Bal Gopal Maharjan said that his team still lacked an attacking line.  

“We are here to earn important three points and take five points lead in league standings. Nonetheless, we have to share the spoils following our toothless attack.

“Our tactic is to score in the set piece but we failed on it. The injuries to our key players also hampered our performance. We hope to improve in the remaining matches.”  

Friends out of drop zone

Friends Club went one point clear from the relegation zone following its 4-0 thrashing to Satdobato Youth Club at ANFA Complex, Lalitpur. The win moved bottomed-placed Friends up to 12th place with 24 points. 

Despite losing three points, Satdobato is unmoved in the fourth spot with 29 points. Torric Jebrin netted a brace while Rafiq Aminu and Captain Prakash Budhathoki scored one goal apiece in the sixth win of Friends.

The win also helped Friends avenge a 1-0 loss to Satdobato in its third match of this season. 

Rafiq opened the account in the first minute of the match and took his goal tally to 12 in the league. He is the fourth top scorer in the league. Olawale Afeez (15) of Machhindra, Messouke Olomou (15) of FC Khumaltar and Nkoto Masoabi (14) of Jawalakhel top the scorer’s chart from first to third position in a pecking order. 

Friends added three goals after the restart. Captain Budhathoki doubled the tally in the 55th minute.  Jebrin made a scoreline of 3-0 in the 87th minute and scored his second in the 90th minute in the comfortable victory in the Lalitpur derby.